Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-08-24
AUGUSTA FARMERS.

AUGUSTA FARMERS.
THE MEETING MONDAY - LIEUT.. GOVERNOR
MASSEY AND CAPTAIN CHARLES GRATTAN
| MAKEABLE sPEECHES-CAPTAIN G. JULIAN
| PRATT PRESIDED, INTRODUCING THE PRO
| CEEDINGs IN HANDSOME STYLE-THE RESo-
| LUTON ADOPTED.
The Farmers Meeting called to assemble
| last Monday was held in the Court house
promptly at the hour named. 1t was not one
| of the largest, but was the equal in numbers
likely to assemble on any other than during
exciting political contests. The gentlemen
participating in its deliberations were repre-
sentative farmers who conducted the business
for which they had assembled in elegant style
and fine spirit.
Captain g. Julian Pratt, who is a member o.
the Virginia Farmers Assembly from the
Tenth District. was called to preside, and A.
H. Roller, Esq, was appointed Secretary.
After referring to the main objects of the
meeting, Captain Pratt read an interesting
communication from Mr.. Jacob Grove, who
resides .--ar Waynesboro', on the subject OF
creameries, am his experience In keeping
cows and furnishins~crea cream 10 Inc outter
factory at Waynesboro'. Hfss experiences anu
views were very clearly presenteSr-aanu nie
manner of conducting his experiment in tno
new departure explained. He maintained
that patrons and creameries could alike sue
coed, and their interests be maintained with
profit
Mr.. samuelM. Woods offered a resolution
that six gentlemen. three of the Republican.
and three of the Democratic party. be appoint
ed committee to prepare business for the
meeting, which was adopted, and the follow
ing were appointed =
Samuel NJ. Woods, J. E. Hamilton, A. A.
Sproul, Lewis Hartman, E. l.. Houf, D. W.
Hanger.
Lieutenant Governor Massey was then IN
troduced. The speech was one of his best. AL
though he had to address farmers of the Valley
in which section he had learned when young
much that enabled him to farm, and who
knew SO thoroughly how to farm. yet he de-
sired to present views in relation to their
interests as they were affected by legislation
and by the railroads so directly associated
with our progress.
He did not antagopize any interest or pro-
fession, but admpnished farmers TO come
close together In council for their own inter-
ests, for they could organize as others did If
they would. In referring to the services OF
Augusta members Of the Legislature who al
ways guarded well the interest Of their con-
stituents, he could speak more knowingly of
Senator Koiner, for he had served in the Senate
with that gentleman, who had so long, SO
ably and faithIy guarded the interests of his
people and the public treasury of the State.
NO report of the Lieut. Governors speech is
attem ptsd. HecCn 81 aded with an earnest APP
peal for the faruiers 10 stand by their rights
and privileges as did other men of other pur,
suits and professions, and the results would be
henefici al to all without detriment to any.
Captain Charles Grattan was next called TO
the stand. Lieut. Governor Massey had said
he designedly left statistics and figures out of
his address because another was to speak who
had them in forcible array, and so it was
Capt. Grattan said he stood before his hearers
to speak of the farmers and their interest, and
why should they not have a hearing. With
full gamers and ribs of corn TIE farmers Of
Augusta. he said, we're poorer TO, day than
they were dye Years after the war-apd why
1Yagit so II was because the markets OF the
werld were not open 10 the free exchange of
productions of one nation with another. The
great oceans intended for the mutual interest
of different countries that they epsrated, in
viting to free intercourse by the people, TO
buy where they could buy cheapest, and TO
sell where they could obtain the best prices
for their products, az2iled aothing SO long as
the com nerceH of the world was hampered, as
it was by legislation intended to promote
other than al ricultural interests. After dis
cussing the inequality of railroad charges, he
summed up the remedy to be in the amendy
hcents to be made to the Interstate law and
lhe adoption by our Legislature Of the Georgia
law.
Captain gra4saa bsa devoted much care to
she study afthe questions involved, and his
Augusta audience bear the same testimony to
the ability and clearness of his address as that
borne by the reports which come from other
counties where he has spoken.
THE RESOLUTION,
At tbs en- clqs.oa " Of captain arattsn's
xneesh, she Com m:tee reported a resolution
which, after being amended, was passed as
| follows:-
| Resolved, BY the farmers of Augusta county.
| in MasS-meeting assembled, that We pledge
ourselves to use all CIR in lGence in the pr1ma-
ries anS vote against any candidate for the
Legislature who refuses to pledge himself 10
use his utmost endeavOurs to have placed
| upon the statute books of this State at as early
| a date as possible
| First. A stringent law regulating freight and
passenger rates'Cn ai1 railroads in this State.
Ss5ossls. A law amending the law now on
! .he statute books ID regard to railroad compa-
| MES fencing their tracks, SO as to compel said
tAilroad c6inpanies to fence their tracks with
| In reasonable time,
| Third. A law fOrDtdding any railroad Is
| suing free passes.
| Fourth A rigid law for the purpose OF
| stamping out and preventing the spread Of
| pleuro pneumonia or other contagious diseases
among the livestock of the State.